Tennis & golfer's elbow
Tennis elbow (pain on the outer side of the elbow) and golfer's elbow (pain on the inner side) are tendinopathies of the forearm tendons where they attach at the elbow. Despite the names they are far more often caused by gripping, lifting and repetitive work or gym activity than by racket or club sports. They tend to cause pain with gripping and loading the wrist and hand.
Like other tendinopathies, they respond best to progressive loading rather than rest alone. Treatment settles symptoms, then rebuilds the strength and capacity of the forearm and grip while managing aggravating activities. Melissa assesses the elbow and contributing factors and builds an individualised strengthening plan to get you back to your work, gym or sport.
Common questions
How long does tennis elbow take to heal?
It is often a slow one - commonly a few months, sometimes longer if it has been present a while - because tendons adapt gradually. Many people improve steadily over eight to twelve weeks of consistent, progressive strengthening while managing aggravating loads. Steady loading is what drives recovery; complete rest tends to relieve it briefly and then let it return.
What is the difference between tennis and golfer's elbow?
They are the same type of problem - a tendinopathy at the elbow - on different sides. Tennis elbow affects the tendons on the outer side of the elbow (the wrist and finger extensors), and is felt with gripping and lifting with the palm down. Golfer's elbow affects the inner side (the wrist flexors). Both are usually driven by gripping and repetitive loading, and both are managed with progressive strengthening.